Rack mount for flat panel display

ABSTRACT

A rack mount includes a roof mount and a suspending frame. The roof mount has a slot therein and the suspending frame is pivotally connected to one side of the slot, such that the suspending frame is operative to rotate between 0° and 180° with respect to the mount roof. The suspending frame has a receiving space for mounting a flat panel display therein. A mirror surface or display surface is attached to a bottom surface of the suspending frame. The rack mount further has an illumination device installed on the roof mount or the suspending frame, and a switch accessible to the user for controlling on/off status of the illumination device. Alternatively, the illumination device can be activated by the orientation of the suspending frame with respect to the roof mount.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a rack mount, and more particularly, to a rack mount fitted on a roof of a vehicle or a location for mounting a flat panel display operative to provide both audio and video display functions.

Vehicles have become the major transportation tool for modern society. For large buses, televisions are often mounted on top of the bus for entertaining passengers. However, the conventional rack for mounting or installing the television is typically very large and heavy. It is thus very easy for it to block the view of both the passengers and the driver. It is also very dangerous for tall people. Such type of rack is not suitable for use in a small size family car. In the small size car, the television is typically in the form of a liquid crystal display embedded in the middle of the dashboard. Therefore, it is not convenient for the passengers in the back seats to watch. Further, mirrors have been commonly fitted in the visors allowing the driver and the passenger in the front seat for checking their appearance. However, these mirrors are normally not accessible for passengers in the back seats.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a rack mount for mounting a flat panel display that does not occupy a significantly large space in the vehicle.

The present invention also provides a rack mount for mounting a flat panel display therein. The rack mount allows the flat panel display to be easily detached therefrom when the vehicle is unattended.

The rack mount provided by the present invention includes a roof mount fitted to the roof of a vehicle and a suspending frame pivotally connected to the roof mount. The mount includes a slot to receive the suspending frame therein, and the suspending frame includes a receiving space for mounting a flat panel display or a mirror therein. Power source terminals are formed in the suspending frame on one side of the receiving space. When a flat panel display is installed in the receiving space, the power input terminals of the flat panel display are in contact with the power source terminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, as well as other features of the present invention, will become apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 comprises a perspective view of a rack mount provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the rack mount;

FIG. 3 shows the application of the rack mount; and

FIG. 4 shows the open status of the rack mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the present invention provides a rack mount for mounting a flat panel display or a mirror. The rack mount structure includes a roof mount 10, a suspending frame 20, an illumination device 30 and a display device 40. The roof mount 10 includes a slot 11, a release button 12 and a power switch 13. The slot 11 includes a male latching member 14 controlled by the release button 12. The suspending frame 20 is pivotally connected to one side of the roof mount 10. As shown, suspending frame 20 includes a receiving space 23 for accommodating the display device 40 therein. One side of the receiving space 23 may be covered by a glass or mirror surface 21. The mirror surface 21 can be attached to the suspending frame 20 by glue or other adhering or installation kit. The suspending frame 20 further includes a switch 31 controlling on/off status of the illumination device 30, and a power source terminal 22. The power switch 13 formed on the roof mount 10 can also be installed in the suspending frame 20 as well. Further, a female latching member 24 is formed on the suspending frame 20 to be engaged with the male latching member 14, such that the suspending frame 20 can be secured to the roof mount 10.

The illumination device 30 is installed at a proper position of the suspending frame, such that when the passenger is using the mirror 21, proper illumination is provided. In this embodiment, the switch 31 is installed on the suspending frame 20 at a position accessible to the passenger. It will be appreciated that the switch 31 can also be installed on the roof mount 10 without exceeding the scope and spirit of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the illumination device 30 can also be controlled by the movement of the suspending frame 20. For example, when the suspending frame 20 is open to an upright position with respect to the roof mount 10, the illumination device 30 is automatically switched on. When the suspending frame 20 is retracted within the slot 11 of the roof mount 10, the illumination device 30 is switched off.

The display device 40 includes a liquid crystal display detachably attached in the receiving space 23 of the suspending frame 20. The display device 40 includes a power input terminal 41 to be in contact with the power source terminal 22 formed in the suspending frame 20. The on/off status of the display device 40 is controlled by the power switch 13.

When the mirror surface 21 is installed on a bottom of the suspending frame 20, the display device 40 can be installed in the receiving space 23 and covered by the mirror surface 21. Alternatively, the suspending frame 20 may only includes the display device 40 installed therein or the mirror surface 21 attached thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rack mount as provided can be attached to various positions of the vehicle. By pressing the release button 12, the engagement between the male and female latching members 14 and 24 is released, such that the suspending frame 20 can rotate to a desired orientation. Meanwhile, the illumination device 30 can be switched on. The power switch 13 and the illumination switch 31 can also be connected to the switch key or button formed on the dash panel, such that the driver can easily control the on/off status of both the display device 40 and the illumination device 30.

A pivot member can be installed at the joint of the suspending frame 20 and the roof mount 10, such that the suspending frame 20 can rotate between 0° and 180° with respect to the roof mount 10 as desired. The display device 40 includes a liquid crystal display, for example.

This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of a rack mount structure. The scope of this disclosure is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification, such as variations in shape, structure, dimension, type of material or manufacturing process may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure. 

1. A rack mount, comprising a roof mount having a slot and a suspending frame pivotally connected to one side of the slot, wherein the suspending frame includes a receiving space for mounting a display device therein.
 2. The rack mount of claim 1, further comprising a mirror surface attached to a bottom surface of the suspending frame.
 3. The rack mount of claim 1, further comprising a display surface attached to a bottom surface of the suspending frame.
 4. The rack mount of claim 1, wherein the suspending frame includes at least one power source terminal, and the display device includes at least one power input terminal in contact with the power source terminal when the display device is installed in the receiving space.
 5. The rack mount of claim 1, further comprising a release button to open the suspending frame.
 6. The rack mount of claim 1, further comprising a power switch to control on/off status of the display device.
 7. The rack mount of claim 5, wherein the roof mount comprises a first latching member controlled by the release button.
 8. The rack mount of claim 1, wherein the suspending frame comprises a second latching means to be engaged with the first latching member for securing the suspending frame within the slot.
 9. The rack mount of claim 1, further comprising an illumination device installed on the suspending frame.
 10. The rack mount of claim 9, further comprising a switch formed on the suspending frame to control on/off status of the illumination device.
 11. The rack mount of claim 1, further comprising a latching mechanism releasably securing the suspending frame in the slot of the roof mount.
 12. The rack mount of claim 1, further comprising an illumination device and a switch installed on the roof mount, wherein the switch is operative to control on/off status of the illumination device.
 13. The rack mount of claim 1, further comprising an illumination device formed on the roof mount or the suspending frame, wherein the illumination device is switched on or off by movement of the suspending frame with respect to the roof mount. 